Edridge Hybrid Pitch Construction

Whitgift is pleased to announce the completion of the School’s third hybrid pitch, located on Edridge, following the successful installations on Big Side and Puntabout in 2021. 

Whitgift was the first independent school to invest in hybrid winter sport pitches, comparable to those fitted at Premier League football and rugby stadiums, as well as national venues such as Wembley and Twickenham. Since their installation, these high specification playing surfaces have seen a near quadrupling of hours of use on Big Side, a tripling of hours of use on Puntabout and crucially no fixture cancellations for waterlogging. 

What is a hybrid pitch?  

Hybrid pitches combine natural and artificial grass fibres for added stability, like a permanent root system. However, it’s the underlying drainage system that quickly removes water during substantial rain. Together, these features provide a firm, reliable playing surface for longer periods, even in poor weather, compared to natural grass alone. 

The construction of the Edridge pitch was completed in August and is now in its final stages of preparation. The Grounds and Estate team recently embedded the natural turf, whilst Grassmaster has begun the hybrid stitching process. On Friday, 26 September, the Headmaster and five Sixth Form students visited the pitch to gain a deeper understanding and observe the stitching in progress. 

The pitch is anticipated to be available for use after the 2025 October Half Term, and we look forward to welcoming students back to enjoy this much-improved surface. This exciting development marks another step forward in Whitgift’s commitment to providing students with outstanding sporting facilities. The new pitch will significantly enhance the football programme and develop a wide range of opportunities across other sports.